Lives of the First World War

19th June 1917 - 21st June 1917

My grandmother made it clear to her family that her father, Stephen George Wright was a lovely man. He worked as an assistant printer with a major newspaper before the war. Dorothy, my grandmother, was 9 years old when her father was killed - during shell fire on the trenches between the villages of Wytschaete and Hollebeke on June 21st 1917. Stephen was born in South Hackney, London and was living with his family in Stoke Newington when he signed up as a Rifleman for the 13th (Kensington) & 31st Battalions of the London Regiment. He served at home then was posted to the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (part of the 36th (Ulster) Division in France. He served with them at Ypres and took part in the Battle of Messiness. Details from the battalion War Diary of the 8th Royal Irish Rifles describe how the men had been in good spirits as they moved up to the front line trenches on the Wytschaete - Hollebeke battlefield on the 19th June 1917. Their position was heavily shelled during the 20th June and again on the 21st. They suffered 8 killed, 7 wounded and 2 missing on the 21st. Stephens wife Florence, never remarried, she raised their three children in the east end of London and died in her 90’s in Potters Bar. I knew her briefly when I was very small and she was a cheerful lady, she always had a big bowl of toffees by her armchair! Stephen George Wright is remembered on the Menin gate, his remains were never recovered.

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